TNF-alpha and homocysteine levels in type 1 diabetes mellitus

The role of homocysteine as an independent risk factor for vascular endothelial damage, and the possible link between homocysteine and tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] as two synergistic risk factors for beta-cell apoptosis in type 1 diabetes mellitus was studied. Plasma homocysteine levels were significantly elevated in all diabetic patients compared with controls and diabetic patients with vascular complications showed higher elevations. Furthermore, homocysteine levels showed significant positive correlation with the degree of microalbuminuria. TNF-alpha levels were elevated in all diabetic patients compared with controls. These results may have therapeutic implications

Effect of interferon therapy on fatty acid saturation index in hepatitis C virus infection

The ratio of stearic to oleic acids, i.e. the fatty acid saturation index, in red blood cell membranes was assayed in 60 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection before and after interferon-alpha therapy. Results were compared with 20 healthy controls. Hepatitis C virus titre was also assayed before and after interferon-alpha therapy. Within 2-5 months following interferon-alpha therapy, a significant inverse correlation was observed between saturation index and hepatitis C virus load. We conclude that hepatitis C virus infection enhances the degree of desaturation of 18-carbon fatty acids and that interferon-alpha is involved in their metabolism by increasing the degree of saturation and subsequent decrease in membrane fluidity

Comparision between Toxoplasma gondii DNA and specific immunoglobulins during pregnancy

Early diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women can be of great help in early intervention and prevention of congenital disorders that usually lead to fetal death. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate nested PCR amplification of the B1 gene of Toxoplasma gondii before and after treatment and in comparison to serological follow-up during treatment. The efficiency of treatment on the bases of PCR detection of T. gondii DNA was statistically significant, while it was insignificant when anti-toxoplasma specific IgM and IgG antibodies were used. PCR detection of T. gondii DNA when performed on whole blood is a rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic procedure and is a valuable tool for establishing the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in women before or during pregnancy

CSF and plasma amino acid levels in epilepsy and effects of antiepileptics on those levels

The CSF and plasma amino acid profile and the interplay between excitatory and inhibitory amino acids was studied in fifty-four Egyptian epileptic patients before and six months after initiation of drug therapy. Patients were classified into three groups according to the type of seizure [petit mal group n = 22, myoclonic group n = 9 and tonic-clonic group n = 23 patients]. The first two groups of patients were treated with sodium valproate, while the third group received carbamazepine. A significantly low mean gamma amino butyric acid [GABA] level was especially relevant to the petit mal group, while a significantly low mean glycine and taurine levels were especially relevant to the tonic-clonic group. On the other hand, a significantly higher aspartic acid level was especially relevant to the myoclonic group. Following treatment and seizure control, there was a significant increase in the inhibitory amino acid glycine and GABA and decrease in excitatory amino acid glutamic acid in the different epileptic groups whatever the drug used. Taurine was significantly increased in the tonic-clonic group and significantly decreased in the myoclonic group following seizure control. Also, a significant decrease in sulfur containing amino acids, branched chain amino acids together with histidine and arginine mean levels were found following drug therapy in the different groups. There is a disturbed balance between excitatory/inhibitory acid systems in epileptic patients. Different epileptic groups manifest with a special amino acid profile which may be of value in distinguishing between the three studied types of epilepsy. The mechanism of action of antiepileptic drugs aimed at regaining the balance between inhibitory/excitatory amino acids and impose a final common pathway in seizure control. The amino acid taurine is rather considered a neuromodulator than an inhibitory neurotransmitter

Correlation between procollagen IIIP and microalbuminuria in diabetic patients with limited articular mobility syndrome before and after control of the diabetic state

This work studied the relationship between procollagen III peptide and micro-albuminuria in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with limited articular mobility syndrome before and after treatment. 52 patients [12 normal control] were selected; group I: 20 IDDM with hand stiffness [limited articular mobility syndrome] and group II: 20 IDDM without hand stiffness. All cases were subjected to complete history and clinical examination to exclude previous or presence of diseases and drug that may affect glucose tolerance. The results demonstrated that serum PIIIp level is raised in all diabetic patients with limited articular mobility syndrome [group I] than in nondiabetic. It was found that the role of urinary albumin excretion in both diabetic groups are significantly correlated with the duration of diabetes and it is related to poor metabolic control. From correlation study, there is a significant positive correlation between fasting blood sugar and both PIIIp and micro-albuminuria in diabetic patient [P <0.055]. There is no significant correlation between PIIIp and both micro-albuminuria and morning stiffness [p <0.05] in diabetic group

Fibronectin, procollagen III peptide, lipids and apolipoproteins in coronary artery disease

Collagen is an important major component of the blood vessel wall and is needed for the maintenance of the structural integrity of this tissue. Also, collagen forms a structural network for the attachment and alignment of heart muscle cells. The soluble plasma fibronectins are large adhesive glycoproteins with a variety of functions including roles in opsonization, cell adhesion, cell motility, tissue repair, coagulation and most important of all, maintenance of the integrity of the vascular endothelial lining. It is well established that hypercholesterolemia and/or increased low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol are major risk factors for coronary artery disease. Recently, it is reported that measuring the concentration of apolipoproteins is a superior index of coronary artery disease than does quantitating the amount of cholesterol carried on the lipoproteins. The aim of this work was to determine the feasibility of employing the levels of plasma fibronectins, serum procollagen III peptide, serum lipid and apolipoproteins in patients with CAD as a marker of atherosclerosis. The results in comparison with control group showed that values of serum PIIIP were higher in CAD patients. While, plasma fibronectin level showed significant increase in patients with CAD. Serum triglycerides levels were significantly higher in CAD patients, and serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels showed significant increase in patients with CAD. Serum HDL cholesterol and serum lipoprotein A levels were low in CAD patients. The mean value of serum apolipoprotein B was significantly higher in patients with CAD

Salivary caffeine as indicator for liver function

This study was carried on 15 patients and 6 normal controls matched as regard weight, age and sex., eight patients proved to be post hepatitis liver cirrhosis [4 males and 4 females] and seven patients was proved to be hepatic bilharzial fibrosis [4 females and 3 males]. After withdrawal of fasting blood samples for liver function, caffeine was given [3.5 mg/kg body weight] orally. Then, blood and salivary samples were taken 2h. and 4 hours for estimation of caffeine. The mean 2h salivary caffeine of bilharzial group was significantly higher than that of the control group but other serum and salivary caffeine levels showed insignificant changes. This can be explained by the opend porto-systemic collaterals which facilitate the absorbed caffeine to by-passes the liver

Clinical significance of esophageal groove-vasopressin induced-closure: 1-A new concept in the treatment of non specific diarrhoea in adult buffaloes

The effect of lysine-vasopressin on oesophageal groove closure was studied in adult buffaloes. Sixteen animals were allocated to 4 groups. Each group was tested for the effect of the dose rate 0.01, 0.03, 0.2 or 0.5 I.U/Kg IBW respectively. Both efficiency and period of closure were determined by indirect methods. Efficient and prolonged closure was achieved by the dose 0.5 I.U/Kg, a reliable effect by 0.2 I.U/Kg, while 0.03 was the least effective. Furthermore, 23 adult buffaloes suffered from non specific diarrhoea, were treated symptomatically with ADD-charcoal mixture given as a drench once daily for 3 successive days. Eight animals received the mixture alone, 10 animals received the mixture after premedication with lysine-vasopressin at the dose rate of 0.2 I.U/Kg IBW. The other animals remained without treatment as control. Animals premedicated with lysine-vasopressin showed rapid and high recovery with clinical improvement in feacal character, bodily condition, P.C.V.% and total proteins. The other animals showed no perceivable improvement

Bile acid and cholinesterase activity as an early liver function tests for detection of organic solvent hepatotoxicity

Forty-six workers exposed to different types of organic solvents and fourteen workers far from exposure were included in this study. The exposed workers were classified into 3 groups according to the nature of the work and the type of solvent; group A [acetone, n-hexane-exposed workers], group B [toluene, xylene-exposed workers] and group C [trichloroethylene, isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol exposed workers]. Routine liver function tests appear normal. Serum bile acid and serum cholinesteracse were estimated in all workers. The results showed a significant increase in serum bile acid in all exposed groups compared with the non-exposed group. Serum cholinesterase activity was significantly lower in the exposed groups than the non-exposed group. From these results we can conclude that, serum bile acid and serum cholinesterase represent an early and sensitive tests for detection of organic solvent hepatotoxicity

Biochemical studies of safsaf F. used in Egyptian folk medicine as antidiabetic drugs

Phytochemical screening of an aqueous extract of Salix Safsaf F. revealed the presence of salicin, salicylaldhyde, tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates and sterols. The hypoglyoemic effect of an aqueous extract of Salix Safsaf F. leaves in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits was studied. The extract was given orally in a dose equivalent to 5 gm of dry powder/kg once and twice/day for 15 days. Alloxan diabetic rabbits showed significant reduction in serum level of glucose and significant increase in serum insulin and C-peptide after Salix treatment in normal rabbits, insignificant change was observed in the serum level of glucose, insulin and C-peptide after treatment with Salix extract for 15 days. No side effects was observed after the use of Salix extract as proved by studying some liver function tests [SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase], kidney function tests [serum urea and creatinine] and the concentration of hemoglobin in the different groups studied

Liver function tests as diagnostic methods in hepatitis

In patients with late stages of hepatic cirrhosis, serum total proteins, albumin and A/G ratio were significantly lower, while gamma globulins were significantly higher as compared to normal controls. In infective hepatitis the same findings were obtained in addition, globulins were significantly higher than in normal controls. The mean values of serum total proteins, albumin, globulins and A/G ratio of these patients were significantly higher, while that of gamma globulins were significantly lower as compared to the corresponding value of patients with late stages of hepatic cirrhosis. The concentration of total bilirubin and activities of all investigated enzymes in sera of patients with late stages of hepatic cirrhosis and infective hepatitis were significantly higher than normal and that of infective hepatitis were significantly higher than that of late stages of hepatic cirrhosis. In patients with late stages of hepatic cirrhosis and infective hepatitis, significantly positive correlation was demonstrated between the activities of GOT and GPT, and in infective hepatitis between LDH and both gamma glutamyl transpeptidase GGTP and GPT, and in late stages of hepatic cirrhosis, between total serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase and between activities of GGTP and both GPT and GOT

Plasma renin activity in hypertension

From the pathological point of view, two types of hypertension can be recognized, vasoconstrictor and volume hypertension. Plasma renin activity [PRA] estimation is an important aid to differentiate between these two varieties with their different prognosis and management. In renal hypertension, renin-angiotensin system is responsible only for the initial elevation of blood pressure, while hypertension with sever renal impairment is mainly due to sodium and water retention. No significant correlation could be found between PRA and serum sodium and potassium. Although PRA estimation may not help in determining the aetiology of the existing hypertension, it may be helpful in the choice of treatment and in the expected morbidity and mortality from vascular complications

Tryptophan and thyroid metabolism in tuberculosis

The levels of serum total indoles, T3, T4 and TSH were estimated in 40 tuberculous and ten normal cases of both sexes at different age groups before and after loading dose of L-tryptophan 50 mg/kg body weight. The level of serum total indoles in tuberculous patients tended to increase. On the other hand, the level of serum T3, T4 and TSH showed no significant changes between different groups studied and also no significant changes between fasting and after tryptophan load. The results provide and evidence to exclude the role of thyroid hormones as a destructive cause for ling tissue in tuberculosis

Maternal and fetal plasma cortisol levels in abnormal labour

Comparing maternal and foetal plasma cortisol levels in four groups: spontaneous vaginal delivery, elective caesarean section, emergency caesarean section and instrumental delivery Maternal and foetal plasma cortisol are higher in spontaneous vaginal delivery than in elective caesarean section which are higher than emergency C.S. Although the results of our study provide evidence that the onset of spontaneous labour in the human is associated with high levels of cortisol, we cannot assume that these high levels are perquisite for parturition. The response of the foetus to the stress of labour, the metabolic clearance rate of cortisol, binding to plasma proteins and conjugation to sulfate and glucuronides must be taken into consideration. There is no significant difference in maternal and foetal plasma cortisol in instrumental delivery compared to spontaneous vaginal delivery

Effect of bilharzial infestation on some hormonal patterns in Egyptians

Bilharziasis in its different forms is estimated to affect at least 200 million people in 72 subtropical and tropical countries in the world. In Egypt it affects 70-80 percent or rural population estimated to be about millions. Complications of Bilharziasis can affect many hormonal patterns in the body. Hepatosplenic Bilharziasis and its sequalue is one of its dangerous complications as it is known that bilharzia ova reach the liver in nearly every case [Issa 1950]. The ova deposition will result in bilharzial granulomate which will ultimately end in hepatic fibrosis with various clinical stages [kely et al 1975, Hashem 1947, Ismail et al 1962 and Mousa et al 1960]. Endocrine features of cirrhosis such as gynaecomastia, testicular atrophy palmar erythema, reduced secondary sex hair, spider naevi and importance had reported to occur in cirrhosis including bilharzial liver cirrhosis. Disturbances in the endocrine function of pancreas [Berkowitz, 1969, and Ghanem et al, 1973], thyroid and gonads [Ghareeb et al, 1969] were reported in bilharzial liver cirrhosis. The endocrine disturbances depend on age of infestation, duration of affection and whether or not the patient received antibilharzial treatment